Air filtration element

Abstract

A segmented air filtration element is provided. The segmented air filtration element includes a center tube defining a central axis and an inner passage therein. The center tube includes a plurality of ribs extending along the central axis and spaced apart from one another. A plurality of segmenting surfaces is attached to the center tube in a radial arrangement with respect to the central axis. The plurality of segmenting surfaces is configured to accommodate a plurality of filter media therebetween such that each of the plurality of filter media is selectively replaceable therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A segmented air filtration element comprising:
 a center tube defining a central axis and an inner passage therein, the center tube including a plurality of ribs extending along the central axis and spaced apart from one another, each of the plurality of ribs including a ramped channel on an exterior facing surface of the respective rib; and 
 a plurality of segmenting surfaces attached to the center tube in a radial arrangement with respect to the central axis, each of the segmenting surfaces being received within one of the ramped channels on one of the plurality of ribs, 
 wherein the plurality of segmenting surfaces are configured to accommodate a plurality of wedge shaped filter media therebetween such that each of the plurality of filter media is selectively replaceable therefrom. 
 
     
     
       2. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 1 , wherein a count of the plurality of ribs is eight in number. 
     
     
       3. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 1 , wherein the center tube has at least one open end communicating with the inner passage. 
     
     
       4. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 1  further comprising a backing plate attached to at least one end of the center tube. 
     
     
       5. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 1  further comprising a cylindrical member slidably received into the center tube. 
     
     
       6. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of segmenting surfaces has a planar configuration. 
     
     
       7. A segmented air filtration element comprising:
 a center tube defining a central axis and an inner passage therein, the center tube comprising:
 a first end surface; 
 a second end surface; and 
 a plurality of ribs extending along the central axis and spaced apart from one another, the plurality of ribs connected between the first end surface and the second end surface, each of the plurality of ribs including a ramped channel thereon provided on an exterior facing surface of the respective rib; 
 
 a plurality of segmenting surfaces attached to the center tube in a radial arrangement with respect to the central axis, each of the plurality of segmenting surfaces having an edge engaged within the ramped channel of the respective rib; and 
 a plurality of wedge shaped filter media attached between each of the plurality of segmenting surfaces in a radially stacked arrangement with respect to the central axis, each of the plurality of filter media being selectively replaceable therefrom, wherein each of the plurality of filter media has a narrow end surface communicating with the inner passage and a broad top surface. 
 
     
     
       8. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7  further comprising a flange projecting axially from at least one of an exterior facing surface of the first end surface and the second end surface respectively. 
     
     
       9. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7  wherein each of the first end surface and the second end surface have a ringed configuration defining an opening communicating with the inner passage. 
     
     
       10. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 9  further comprising a cylindrical member slidably received into the inner passage, the cylindrical member configured to close the opening of any one of the first end surface and the second end surface respectively. 
     
     
       11. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7 , wherein the narrow end surface has an arcuate configuration and the broad end surface has a flat configuration. 
     
     
       12. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7 , wherein the segmented air filtration element has an octagonal cross section. 
     
     
       13. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7 , wherein any one of the first end surface and the second end surface has a closed configuration. 
     
     
       14. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7  further comprising a backing plate attached to at least one of the first end surface and the second end surface. 
     
     
       15. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of segmenting surfaces has a planar configuration. 
     
     
       16. The segmented air filtration element of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of filter media is a fluted media pack.